Clement Resto, as the engineer of Hartigan's Crew participated in
seven missions during the war against Nazi Germany. The following combat
mission reports are from the "The Molesworth Story" by the 303rd Bomb Group
(H) Association and the 303rd Bomb Group site. To see more information about the
crews and airplanes for all of the missions of the 303rd Bomb Group, follow the link at the bottom of this
page to the 303rd Bomb Group site.

Eighth Air Force General Eaker was
satisfied with the results of the
Pathfinder practice missions of 23 and 25 September and decided to
use the Emden mission as the first 8th Air Force operational use of
Pathfinder aircraft. Emden was chosen as the first target because
the contrasting reflections of water and land would show up on the
H2S radar scopes more distinctly than any land target.

Group aircraft were loaded with
1,000 lb general purpose H.E. M-44 bombs and 100-lb M47A1 white
phosphorous bombs. The 303rd BG(H) approached the target at 25,000
feet to find 7/10 to 10/10 cloud cover and eight to ten miles
visibility. 1Lt Donald F. DeCamp in B-17 Star Dust, 358BS, aborted
the mission when the No. 2 engine throttle linkage, vibrated apart
and control of the engine was lost.

Due to an extremely steep,
tight left turn immediately before the target was reached to avoid a
heavy cloud at the bombing altitude, the 303 BG(H) formation was
separated from the Combat Wing at the target. Bombing instructions
were to adhere to the policy of dropping on the Pathfinder B-17s
parachute flares with the lead Group bombing on the flares and other
Groups dropping on the lead Group. The 303rd BG(H) lead ship
bombardier 1Lt. Reinaldo J. Saiz, never saw bombs being dropped by
the lead Group aircraft and was unable to drop his bombs. Suring the
subsequent confusion, three Group aircraft dropped their bombs in
the vicinity of the target area--two on the city of Norden, Germany,
one near the island of Borkum and two jettisoned bombs into the
North Sea.

Flak over the target was meager
and inaccurate. Approximately 25 enemy fighters were seen. Their
attacks were not persistent due to the excellent fighter protection
given the Group by P-47s. There was one slight casualty. S/Sgt. W.E.
Rein, tail gunner on Lt. Brinkley's crew in #42-5483 Red Ass 360BS,
was hit by a small anti-aircraft gunfire splinter.

Many of the 303rd BG(H) crews
were critical of the policy that required them only to drop bombs
when the Group lead ship dropped theirs. They could have dropped
their bombs on the Pathfinder ships' parachute flares that were
clearly visible. They also requested that the Pathfinders "should
get better organized" Groups in other Divisions had similar
confusion and problems and most bombs fell far and wide from the
target area.

AIR-SEA RESCUE MISSION: On the
return trip to Emden several B-17's were seen in distress with
parachutes observed. A hastily organized air-sea rescue effort was
organized to search in two areas. The emergency timing gave little
time for mission preparation and organization. Gee equipment, useful
in over-water searches, was missing. Crews complained that they were
not provided with food. The search was unsuccessful. The next day, a
second air-sea rescue search was conducted by 10 B17s of the 358th
and 427th BSs. Four areas were searched at an altitude of 300 to 500
feet. The wing of an RAF fighter and a small tethered balloon were
observed. The search lasted about five hours. Returning crews
suggested that further searches be conducted at an altitude of 1000
feet rather than lower altitudes.

mden
was the target again with a repeat mission. One aircraft aborted:
#41-24561 The Duchess 359BS (Lt. Reeder) - The
No. 3 engine had been feathered and would not start again. The ship
aborted while the Group was forming.

The bombers flew in perfect formation and made an excellent bomb run
on the target. The bombs were dropped through overcast skies in
close formation on the lead aircraft of the 384th BG(H). This
aircraft was a Pathfinder aircraft whose "Mickey" operator made the
bomb run with his H2S radar equipment. Parachute flares came out of
the lead Combat Wing B-17, but they were not observed as opening.
Fifty-seven tons of H.E. M-43 500-lb. G.P. bombs plus 16 bundles of
"nickels" (propaganda leaflets) were dropped from 23,500 feet. This
was the first time that the 303rd BG(H) dropped leaflets.

The formations were escorted in from the German coast and back out
to the coast again by P-47 "Thunderbolt" fighters. All crews agreed
that the fighters gave them perfect cover and kept most of the Nazi
fighters out of reach of the bombers. Despite this cover, a few did
manage to come through the formation and made several head-on
attacks before they were chased away by 8th Air Force fighters.
While there were many enemy fighters in the air, not more than six
came in to make one of the most vigorous attacks yet seen by our
crews. Anti-aircraft gunfire over the target was intense, but not
very accurate.

Major Mitchell, Lead pilot in #42-29931 Satan’s Workshop
reported, "We were flying perfect formation and when we hit the
German coast, the P-47s were right there to meet us. They sure
looked good and I might add that if they hadn't been with us we
would have had a hell of a tough fight. Anyway, we went on over the
target and dropped our bombs in as pretty a pattern as you will ever
see. It was really beautiful to watch. Saw lots of Nazi fighters out
there, but they were quite a distance away. There were only four
that really

came
in and made a pass at us. I saw them coming, so I told my ball
turret gunner [S/Sgt. Clayton R. Bagwell] that I was going to lift
up the nose when they came in so he could get a good shot at them. I
did - and he let them have it. Two went down through the clouds
smoking. All in all, it was a pretty good raid." Sgt Bagwell claimed
an FW-190 as a damaged and 1Lt George E. Wright, flying in the tail
gunner position, claimed an ME-109 as destroyed.

Maj. Glynn Shumake added, "Could see lots of enemy fighters out to
one side of us, but our own fighters kept circling and covering us,
so I guess they weren't too eager to move in too close, although
about half a dozen did try it."

1Lt. Paul S. Tippet pilot of #42-5260 Yardbird II 360BS, was
hit by two ME-109s immediately after the formation left the target.
The ship peeled off, went down out of control and exploded above the
overcast. One parachute was seen coming out of the ship before it
went out of sight. All crew members were later confirmed as killed
in action. The lost crew members were: 1Lt. Paul S. Tippet, 2Lt.
Lewellyn H. Nemitz, 2Lt. Edwin E. Mims, 1Lt. Bernard Rice, T/Sgt.
Oaks H. Smith, Sgt. Carney C. Rhodes, T/Sgt. Thomas L. Richardson,
S/Sgt. Abraham J. Rasch, S/Sgt. Hugh F. Gibney, Jr., S/Sgt. William
R. Greason and S/Sgt. Jack H. Randall. S/Sgt. Gibney is buried in
Ardennes American Cemetery near Liege, Belgium.

rankfurt,
Germany was today’s target. Six Group B-17s aborted the mission:
#42-29894 Baltimore Bounce
359BS (Clifford) - The 427BS crew
transferred to a spare aircraft and the pilot didn't have an oxygen
mask.

#42-5854

Alley Oop 360BS (Cogswell)
and #42-5177 Fast Worker MK II 359BS

(Hanselman)
- The pilots thought they were short on gas.

#42-5788

A.O.G. Not in Stock
360BS (Baker) - The No. 3 engine
had a runaway

prop.

#41-24629

(No Name) 358BS (Hartigan)
- The interphone was out and the

supercharger was lagging.

#42-5257

Miss Bea Haven
359BS (Brown) - The waist gunner
became ill.

The lead bombardier, 1Lt. Byron K. Butt, overshot the IP when
industrial haze and smoke made it difficult to observe. After
several right turns they were back on the bomb run course. Bombs
were dropped using the bombsight after a 25-second bomb run.

incendiary bombs from 23,500 feet. Four aircraft also carried
leaflets. The formation was escorted part of the way into enemy
territory by P-47 fighters. However, for the roughest part of the
trip–into Germany proper–the bombers flew unescorted. Fortunately,
fighter opposition was not too intense at any time. There were about
20 to 25 enemy fighters observed during the unescorted portion of
the trip. Most of the attacks came in head on, but not too close.
ME-110s made rocket attacks from the rear but caused no damage.
Moderate and inaccurate flak was encountered periodically on the way
to the target and back.

Col. Stevens was pleased with the mission, stating, "It was a pretty
good show. Those P-47s took us pretty well in and we went on from
there alone. We flew into the target without too much trouble from
the German fighters, although they were around. They didn't press
their attacks as much as they have in the past. We dropped our bombs
in a good pattern and got out." His pilot, Capt. Jacob C. James,
added, "It was a good trip and I think that we did some good."

1Lt. Sumarlidason, pilot of the Meat Hound 359BS reported,
"We saw about 20 to 25 fighters around and during the time we didn't
have our P-47 escort. They would attack us off and on singly, but
they didn't seem too eager. The P-47s really mixed it up with those
Nazis. The bombing looked pretty darned good to me." S/Sgt. Jesse E.
Trip, waist gunner on Mr. Five by Five said, "Fighters
certainly gave us swell protection. Those Germans were amateurs
compared to the ones up north."

One aircraft, #42-29846 (No Name) 359BS piloted by 1Lt.
Victor J. Loughnan, was reported missing. It was last reported under
control, flying on three engines about 12 miles south of Achen.
Returning crewmen believed it had been hit by anti-aircraft fire. It
was later learned that it was made inoperative when crewmen tossed
out machine guns to lighten their load and one gun hit the No. 3
engine propeller. The crew parachuted southwest of Aachen, Germany,
close to the Belgian lines. They were captured and taken to an air
base near Aachen. Their B-17 crashed near St. Vith, Belgium. The
crewmen were: 1Lt. Loughnan, 2Lt. Winfield H. Gredvig, 1Lt. James L.

he primary target was the important
submarine-building yard at Bremen. During 1942, this yard produced
10.6% of total German production. On 8 October, there were 21
submarines under construction and 10 being fitted out. There were
also four

"Seetier"
class destroyers being constructed and two being fitted out. The
yard capacity had recently been increased by one slip. Another plant
in Bremen was producing 75 JU-87 aircraft each month. The secondary
target was the center of the city of Bremen.

Aircraft #41-24577 Hell's Angels turned back at the English
coast when the pilot, Lt. John R. Johnston 358th BS, lost his No. 1
engine.

The effectiveness of the target smoke screen, in combination with a
haze that extended to altitude, caused the Group to attack the
secondary target. Twenty-seven tons of M47A1 65-lb. incendiary bombs
were dropped from 28,000 feet and appeared to have landed east of
the aiming point.

Flak in the target area was intense and accurate for Groups below
the 303rd BG(H) formation. Both barrage and continuously pointed
fire were employed. Meager inaccurate flak was met at various points
to and from the target. Up to 300 enemy aircraft were seen, but
there were very few attacks by the ME-109s, ME-110s and FW-190s.
There were no claims made by the Group, no aircraft lost and no
casualties. Nine aircraft suffered minor flak damage. Fighter
support was good.

The lead pilot, Capt. Casello reported, "My crew saw bombs hitting
on the center of town. There was a lot of flak, but the P-47s kept
the enemy fighters away most of the time. We had a few tail attacks,
but they didn't damage the ship any." "They definitely

haven't
taken any flak away from Bremen." added Maj. Shayler. "We were lucky
enough to fly above most of it, but it must have been hell for the
boys flying below us. The flak was bursting fiercely down there.
However, we weren't bothered much by fighters. They didn't seem to
want to come up to our altitude and mix with the P-47s."

S/Sgt. Virgil E. Brown, tail gunner on Sky Wolf, said he saw
three FW-190s attack one Fortress when the P-47s weren't around.
"That tail gunner was really on the ball. He shot down two of the
FWs in about thirty seconds and the other one turned around and got
out of there fast," Sgt. Brown reported. S/Sgt. Chester Petrosky,
tail gunner on Miss Bea Haven said, "I've never seen flak as
thick as it was today. It looked like we could have gotten out and
walked on it."

The crew of Star Dust 358BS, had the roughest Group trip of
the day. Over the target flak hit the ship, damaged a supercharger
and caused a runaway propeller. Flying on three engines, Star
Dust fell behind the rest of the formation, but went on to bomb
the target. Two bombs stuck in the racks and the bomb bay doors
refused to close, slowing the ship down even more. To complicate
matters, oxygen masks froze at the sub-zero

altitude.
Bombardier Lt. Phillip A. Reed passed out from lack of oxygen.
Engineer T/Sgt. Joseph A. Rozek went back to the bomb bay to try to
close the doors and increase the speed of the ship a little. He
dislodged the two bombs, which rolled out of the partially

closed
doors. Then Sgt. Rozek passed out on the narrow catwalk over the
open bomb bay doors five miles above earth. Seeing Sgt. Rozek's
position, 2Lt. Roy C. Sanders, pilot of Star Dust, left the
controls in the hands of the co-pilot 2Lt. Henry F. Nogash. After
dragging Sgt. Rozek to a safer spot and fitting him up with an
emergency oxygen system, Lt. Sanders went to the nose and succeeded
in reviving Lt. Reed. "We were lucky to get back," the crew agreed.
"We weren't in very good shape to keep off fighters, but those P-
47s were all around us. Boy! They really looked good–as welcome as a
letter from home."

The following is a description of
the bombing of the Aircraft Component Plant at Anklam , Germany from the mission
report, a mission that
my uncle participated in. On that mission he served on the B17-F # 42-5264
"Yankee Doodle Dandy", everyone in the unit received letters of commendation
for this mission, being that this was my uncle's fifth mission he
received the Air Medal too. I thank Harry D. Gobrecht Lt.Col., USAF (RET), for allowing me to
use material from his book "MIGHT IN FLIGHT" on this Web Site.

Dispatches from Stockholm last night
reported great fires blazing in the heart of Munster following
Sunday's heavy raid by large formations of Flying Fortresses on the
city of 143,000, the most important German railway head in the Ruhr
and a major link with Ruhr-Emden Canal.

The Stockholm reports, quoting a Swedish correspondent in Berlin, said
that the raid, which came on the heels of the Fortress and Liberator
penetration deep into East Prussia and Poland, caught the Germans by
"very great surprise."

Fliers returning to their bases in Britain said that the entire target
area was blanketed with smoke and flames and that the raid was one of
the most successful day assaults ever made over Europe.

Intense Fighter Opposition

Flak and fighter opposition was intense. The official Air Force
communiqué claimed the Forts shot down 81 Nazi planes, while
Thunderbolts which escorted the B17's on the 850 mile round trip
destroyed 21. Against this total of 102 was the loss of 30 Forts and
two P47s. Berlin radio claimed 40 Forts were shot down against a loss
of 11 German fighters.

The USAAF heavies took a well deserved rest yesterday after their
fifth big raid of the month carried them to Munster, a German Army
garrison town which lies on the Dortmund-Ems canal and the
Bremen-Cologne railroad - two important arteries carrying raw
materials from North Sea ports to the industrial heart of the Reich.

As the Forts went over the target Sunday, the enemy attempted to set
up a smoke shield to cover vital target areas. But something went
wrong, the smoke blew in the wrong direction, and American crews
reported excellent visibility for the bomb runs.

Even a Dornier as Fighter

In contrast to some recent raids, however, the Luftwaffe threw up
swarms of fighters. Even a Dornier bomber joined the interceptors,
according to 2/Lt Robert H Winnerman, 22, of Newark, bombardier on Slo
Jo.

In the words of one flier, the Germans were "queuing up for us," and
Capt. Robert B. Brown, 22, of Houston, Tex., pilot of Cabin in the Sky
asserted; "You don't have to aim; just stick your gun out the window
and pull the trigger. We're claiming 12 German fighters."

Mission
# 79 Duren, Germany - Oct. 20, 1943

The following is a
description of the mission that my
uncle Clement was on when his ship was shot down. He lost an
eye on this
mission and spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag XVIIB. As a result of this
mission
he was awarded the Purple Heart and POW Medal.

The Charley
Horse B17F # 42-29571, was shot down during the bombing of Duren. Four
members of the crew 2Lt. W.R. Hartigan, 2Lt. L.F. Douthett, T/Sgt. R.L
Ward, and S/Sgt. J.W. Lowther, evaded capture. S/Sgt. Dove was killed in
action. The rest of the crew 2Lt. B.F. Dorsey, 2Lt. E.N. Goddard, S/Sgt.
J.T. Ince, T/Sgt. C. Resto, and S/Sgt V.F. Stoddard spent the rest of the
war in POW camps.

My uncle
Clement after bailing out landed in Belgium. A Belgian civilian named
Leonard Mercier and members of the Belgian resistance helped him. Despite
their efforts, nine days later, the Gestapo in Brussels, Belgium captured
T/Sgt Clement Resto. Interrogated at Saint Giles Prison and in Frankfurt,
Germany; he spent the rest of the war at Stalag Luft III & Stalag 17B. I will be posting a
short story written by my uncle, about that experience. I am also hoping
to be able to put more information about the members of the Belgian
resistance who tried to help my uncle. At this point, I am gathering
and organizing information.

This is a copy of my uncle Clem's war time log at Stalag 17B, Clem did a lot
of the drawings in this log from personal experience, included are some of
his writings reflecting his situation and his experience during the war (my
two favorites in the log are "My race" and "My Future With Her"). A few of
the drawings in this log he copied from drawings that other POW'S had done
and some of the drawings and writings were done by fellow POW companions.
The newspaper articles are from German newspapers (some in English). This
slide show takes about a minute or more lo load up depending on the speed of
your connection. Click on the image above to load the slide show. There are
121 pages in the log, sometimes the slide show loads up in the middle if
this happens you can either right click to back track or left click to go
forward with each click.

When my uncle T/Sgt
Clement Resto was repatriated from Stalag 17B in early 1945, he brought
home with him the names and addresses of about 400 fellow POW’s,
so that he could
write to their families to let them know that they were all right. He
wrote to the families and they wrote back. I have about 200 +
letters from those families which I am going to post on this page.
As a child I always enjoyed reading the letters. I’ve been thinking that
maybe the people that wrote the letters or their descendents would
like reading them too. Included are letters from the family and
friends. I will try to upload a few every day.

Plastic eyes owe their
origin to false teeth. The plastic compounds that appear in artificial
dentures are the basic materials of the new prostheses (artificial eyes) that
have proven so superior to the glass variety.

The plastic eye
just had to be developed after World War II began, because the special glass
for the older type of artificial eye was manufactured only in Germany. Major
Victor M. Dietz, now chief of HGH’S Plastic Eye Section, and two other Army
dental officers, created the new plastic prostheses at Valley Forge General
Hospital.

The plastic eye is
greatly superior to the glass prostheses. It is unbreakable: You can drop it,
or step on it with your heel. The eyes look natural, and have every color of
natural eyes, as near as possible to the anatomical structure where those
colors appear in the real eye. They are like real eyes, and do not have the
motionless stare so typical of the glass variety.

Halloran’s
magnificent Plastic Eye Clinic and Laboratory is under the supervision of
Major Dietz. NCO assistant to Major Dietz is Tec 4 David Grossberg. Sgt. Ellis
Simpson does veining and modifying of eye color. T/Sgt. Robert B. Scott makes
wax impressions which are cast in dental stone. All casts are reproduced by
dental methods. Cpl. Bernard Greenwald and Pfc Richard M. Norman work in
the plastic laboratory and do processing. The extremely delicate job of
painting the irides in true, subtle natural colors is performed by Pfc Marvin
Maurer.

Within the space
limitations of this picture story, it is impossible to describe all the
interesting and often, complicated details that taken together are responsible
for the wonderful prostheses which is so realistic that only the expert can
distinguished it from the real thing. We have just enough space to let you see
what T/Sgt. Clement Resto, a patient, saw the day he came for his plastic eye.
(Photos by Tec 5 Bill Baumbach. Major Dietz photo by Sgt. J. Pimper)